HeartFit with Annie Smith
Meet Annie – a Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Instructor for 27 years whose passion in life is to help others achieve their health and fitness goals to become their best version of themselves, as well as enjoying the benefits of regular physical exercise herself. Annie’s life as she knew it came to an abrupt halt when she was diagnosed 7 years ago with an invisible illness; a rare, incurable, and life-threatening heart disease, Cardiac Sarcoidosis (& systemic sarcoidosis). She had an ICD implanted (pacemaker and defibrillator) and started taking many medications daily to help sustain her.
Annie wouldn’t let it stop her from being as physical as she safely could, so she took on walking when she was at her sickest, on the recommendation of her cardiologist, Dr. Heather Ross. It’s now one of her favourite exercises!
In 2019 Annie created Annie’s Pace Global Adventure (APGA); a 4 day all-abilities adventure every May, where the world unites for 4 days for heart health awareness. The goal during those 4 days (& lifetime), is to exercise for 1 hour/day, OR test your limits along with Annie and exercise as long as you can for those 4 days. Each APGA, Annie treadmill-walked: 161 km-2019/180km-2020/150km-2021.
Your life is worth 1 hour a day – Dr. Heather Ross.
All donations raised go to Dr. Ross’ Test Your Limits Initiative. (“The funds raised will be for support of heart disease and heart failure research. 100% of your support will go directly towards making research in heart failure and transplantation possible.”).
APGA has raised $15,000 in 3 years. The 4th annual APGA is May 27-30, 2022. Annie encourages everyone to share her message and get involved Sign up to participate!
Annie hopes to inspire you and help you achieve the best version of yourself daily and choose courage over fear.
‘I am grateful! I appreciate life every day I wake up and I listen to my heart and what it tells me. I live with a positive attitude and that’s about all I can do!’
Sharon Bray
Paula Henderson
Isabel Victal
Cindy